Cooks, Restaurant vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn $36,080 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 98.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$28,010$126,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $45,440 | $-17,430 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $55,870 | $-24,560 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $72,910 | $-36,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $97,270 | $-53,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $126,540 | $-79,200 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $79,730 | $-42,000 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $46,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,960 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $45,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,040 |
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,080 (98.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant salaries range from $28,010 (10th percentile) to $47,340 (90th percentile), with a median of $36,830.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS